Electrically operated rhythm instrument

ABSTRACT

The rhythm instrument disclosed is primarily intended for use with a conventional electronic organ or similar instrument. A cymbal is provided with one or more striking devices and with a damping device, all of which are controlled from the playing keys (manuals) and/or the pedal keys (pedal clavier) of the organ. Sensing circuits associated with the playing keys of the various divisions provide electrical operating pulses to rhythmically operate the strikers and the damper simultaneous with the production of the conventional organ sounds. An Automatic Pulse Train Generator can also operate the strikers and damper automatically, according to a predetermined rhythm pattern.

United States Patent Peterson Sept. 5, 1972 [54] ELECTRICALLY OPERATED RHYTHM 3,255,292 6/1966 Park ..84/1.03 INSTRUMENT 3,433,880 3/1969 Southard ..84/ 1.17

[72] Inventor: Richard H. Peterson, 11748 Walnut Ridge Drive, Palos Park, 111. 60464 [22] Filed: May 25, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 39,962

[52] US. Cl. ..84/171, 84/3, 84/402 [51] Int. Cl ..Gl0d 15/00, Gl0f1/22, G10d 13/08 [58] Field of Search ..84/2, 3, 104,170, 171, 411, 84/422, 1.03, 402

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,309,454 3/ 1967 Cutler et a1 ..84/1 .03 X 956,502 '4/1910 Palmer ..84/171 1,874,154 8/1932 Barbieri ..84/170 2,912,894 11/1959 Hess ..84/171 647,954 4/1900 Flemming ..84/422 3,146,290 8/1964 Park ..84/l.03

Primary Examiner-Richard B. Wilkinson Assistant Examiner-John F. Gonzales Attorney-Donald H. Sweet [57 ABSTRACT The rhythm instrument disclosed is primarily intended for use with a conventional electronic organ 'or similar instrument. A cymbal is provided with one or more striking devices and with a damping device, all of which are controlled from the playing keys (manuals) and/or the pedal keys (pedal clavier) of the organ. Sensing circuits associated with the playing keys of the various divisions provide electrical operating pulses to rhythmically operate the strikers and the damper simultaneous with the production of the conventional organ sounds. An Automatic Pulse Train Generator can also operate the strikers and damper automatically, according to a predetermined rhythm pattern.

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.SHEET 3 0F 3 TO ACCOMP Figure 4 INVENTOR ELECTRICALLY OPERATED RHYTH INSTRUMENT SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the embodiment selected to illustrate the invention, an electronic organ having a Pedal Clavier and Accompaniment and Solo playing manuals is adapted to produce organ music in the conventional manner. A rhythm device is provided in the form of a mechanically vibratible cymbal. A first striker in the form of a wire brush is operated by an electro-magnet, which when energized causes the brush to strike the cymbal. A second striker similarly operated, is in the form of a conventional drum stick. An electro-magnetically 60 operated damper, when actuated, damps the vibrations of the cymbal in much the same way as is achieved by a person grasping the cymbal with his hand. Sensing circuits associated with the Accompaniment keyboard andwith the Pedal Clavier develop pulses in response to the actuation or release of the keys, and these pulses are applied to the striker and damping magnets to achieve a rhythmic accompaniment simultaneous with the production ofthe regular organ sounds. The strikers and the damper can alternately, or additionally, be operated from automatically generated rhythmic pulse trains.

Inthe accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an instrument according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing electrical operating pulses that are derived from the control circuitry associated with the invention.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing electrical operating pulses derived from an automatic pulse train generator used in connection with the invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of sensing circuits suitable for use with the invention.

Referring first to FIG. 1, 100 is the lower keyboard or Accompaniment Manual, of a conventional electronic organ. 101 is the S010 Manual and 102 is the Pedal Clavier. Electrical key contacts (not shown) are operated by the playing keys 103 of the accompaniment manual and pedal keys 104 of the Pedal Clavier, and are connected to the conventional organ tone generating equipment 105. Organ sounds thus generated are reproduced by lou'd speaker 107. Power to operate the tone generators is supplied by the power source 110, which is connected to the 8010 Manual 101 via conductor 112 and to the Accompaniment Manual and the Pedal Clavier by means of conductors 114 and 1 16 respectively.

interposed in these feed lines are sensing circuits 120 for the accompaniment keyboard and 122 for the pedal clavier. These sensing circuits detect the actuation and release of the playing keys and generate output pulses on a group of terminals 125a, b, c, d and e, and on 126a, b, c, d and e. The operation of the sensing circuit 120 will now be explained in connection with the graphs of FIG. 2.

When all keys of the Accompaniment Manual 100,

are in their up position, terminals 125a, c, d and e are at zero or off potential, while terminal 125b is energized with a potential of approximately 15 volts. When any key on the Accompaniment Manual is depressed, terminal 125a is energized with the 15 volt potential until such time as all keys are again released. This is shown by curve A" in FIG. 2. As shown by curve 8", terminal 125b is energized when all keys are released and is de-energized so long as any key is operated. Terminal 1250 is energized when any key is operated after all keys have been released, but as indicated by curve C", it is only transiently energized regardless of whether the key is continuously held down or is operated and then released. The pulse duration may typically be in the order of miliseconds. Curve D shows that terminal 125d is energized with a transient pulse when'all keys are released, and Curve E" shows that terminal 125e is transiently energized when any key is operated even though otherkeys are in their operated position.

Referring now to FIG. 4, I will describe the operation ofa sensing circuit. It should be understood that this particular circuit is exemplary only and is not a part of applicant's invention. As previously described, the accompaniment manual sensing circuit is interposed in the conductor 114 between the power source and the accompaniment manual 100. When none of the keys are operated, no current will flow in this conductor, and accordingly no current will flow through the emitter base junction of transistor 400. Transistor 400 is therefore cut-off and terminal a will be at Of, or ground, potential because it is returned to ground through resistors 402 and 403. Transistor 405 is also cut-off, and terminal l25b will be at a positive 15 volt potential because it is connected to power source 110 through resistor 407. Transistor 410 is held cut-off by resistor 411 and therefore terminal l25c is held at ground potential by resistor 412. Similarly, transistors 414 and 416 are respectively held cut-off by resistors 415 and 417, and the terminals 125d and 125e are respectively held at ground potential by resistors 420 and 421. When any playing key 103 is operated, current will flow from the source 110, through the base emitter junction of transistor 400, and through resistor 422. This current saturates transistor 400, applying 15 volts to terminal 125a. Current through resistor 402 to the base of transistor405 causes transistor 405 to saturate, short circuiting terminal 125b to ground, or 0, potential. As the voltage on terminal 125b falls, capacitor 425 charges through the emitter base junction of transistor 410, producing a transient saturation of transistor 410, resulting in terminal 125a being energized with the 15 volt potential for a brief period of time, the exact period determined primarily by the size of capacitor 425. In like manner, terminal 125d is transiently energized during the charging of capacitor 427, which occurs when the voltage at terminal 125a falls at the instant that all keys are released. Whenever any key is depressed, and regardless of the position of other keys, a change in the current through resistor 422 effects, but it is sufficient for an understanding of the invention to consider only the two sensors shown.

130 is a cymbal supported in a resilient mounting 131. A wire brush 132 is pivoted at 133 and is arranged to be forced into contact with the cymbal by the electro-magnet 135. In addition, the cymbal may be set into vibration by the striker 137 which may be in the shape of a drum stick and which is operated by the electromagnet 139. 140 is a damper having a vibration absorbing material 141 which is pressed into contact with the cymbal 130 by an electro-magnet 142.

Associated with the striker 137 are a series of switches 150 and diodes 152 which permit the electromagnet 139 to be connected to any of the terminals 125a, b, c, d, or e or 126a, b, c, d or e. Similarly, the electro-magnet 135 is connected to the switches 154 and diodes 156 which permit this striker to be controlled by any of the sensor pulses, and again, the damper operating magnet 142'in like manner is connected to the sensors through switches 158 and diodes 160.

With the apparatus described it has been found that a suitable, and pleasing, rhythmic accompaniment can be produced that is appropriate to almost any type of playing, and for almost any type of musical selection where a rhythmic accompaniment is appropriate. For example, many organists find that if the striker 137 is con.- nected to the terminal 126a and the brush 132 is connected to terminal 125c and the damper 140 is connected to terminal 125b, a rhythmic accompaniment indistinguishable from that commonly produced by a trap drummer is produced without requiring any deviation from the organists usual style of playing. By closing various combinations of switches 150, 154, and 158, hundreds of useful efiects can be created by the rhythmic interplay of the strikers and damper. For

many effects it is useful to have the damper remain in contact with the cymbal for different lengths of time. To accomplish this the switch 160 can be set to selectively switch capacitors 161 or 162 across the damper magnet 142.

Automatic rhythm instruments are now well known in the art wherein sounds imitative of cymbals, drums, wood blocks, castanets, maracas, and the like are electronically produced from white noise or from shock excited resonant circuits.

Automatic pulse train generating circuitry is commonly used to automatically produce rhythm patterns of a sequentially repeated series of such electronically generated sounds. Typical apparatus of this character is described in the patents to Donald Park, US. Pat. Nos. 3,255,292 and 3,146,290. The present invention can be advantageously used in conjunction with such automatic circuitry.

Referring again to FIG. 1, 170 is an automatic pulse train generator actuated by closing switch 190 and having output terminals 172 and 174 upon which are automatically produced a continuous pulse train of a predetermined pattern, as for example that shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 represents two measures of a rhythm pattern in 4/4 time. The upper curve shows the pulses occurring on terminal 172, and the lower curve shows the pulses on terminal 174. The two pulses per measure in the upper curve represent on" beats, while the two pulses per measure in the lower curve represent after beats.

Closing certain of the switches 180, 182 and 184 permits the strikers and damper to operate rhythmically. A very pleasing rhythm occurs for example, if the switches are set to produce operation of both strikers on the down beats, and operation of the brush and the damper on the afterbeats. Or the strikers may be operated from the automatically produced pulses and the damper operated from the playing manual or pedal clavier through one of the switches 158.

These particular pulse trains are exemplary only, it being understood that an almost unlimited variety of rhythm patterns can be produced by apparatus of this character. Switches 180, 182 and 184 and diodes 181, 183 and 185 permit the selective operation of the striker operating magnets and 139 and the damper magnet 142 by the automatically produced pulses.

Others may readily adapt the invention for use under various conditions of service, by employing one or more of the novel features disclosed, or equivalants thereof. As at present advised with respect to the apparent scope of my invention I desire to claim the following subject matter.

I claim:

I. An electrical musical instrument comprising:

a playing manual and a pedal clavier;

a cymbal;

an electrically operated striker for causing mechanical vibration of said cymbal;

an electrically operated damper for damping said vibrations;

a first electro-magnet associated with said striker and a second electro-magnet associated with said damper;

a first sensing circuit associated with said playing manual and second sensing circuit associated with said pedal clavier, said sensing circuits being adapted to produce pulses of electrical energy in response to the operation and/or release of the keys of said manual and clavier;

and means connecting said pulses to said striker and damper electro-magnets for operating said striker and damper, respectively.

2. An electrical musical instrument according to claim 1, and including an automatic pulse train generator having at least one output terminal upon which is automatically produced a series of pulses of electrical energy according to a predetermined rhythm pattern, and;

means connecting said first electro-magnet to said output terminal, whereby said series of pulses operates said striker.

3. An electrical musical instrument according to claim 1, and including an automatic pulse train generator having a first output terminal and a second output terminal upon each of which is automatically produced a series of pulses of electrical energy according to a predetermined rhythm pattern, and;

means connecting said first terminal to said first electro-magnet and said second terminal to said second electro-magnet, whereby said pulses operate said striker and said damper, respectively.

4. An electrical musical instrument comprising:

a playing manual and a pedal clavier;

a cymbal;

an electrically operated striker for causing mechanical vibration of said cymbal;

an electrically operated damper for damping the vibrations of said cymbal;

a first electro-magnet for operating said striker;

a second electro-magnet for operating said damper;

a first sensing circuit associated with said playing manual for energizing said first electro-magnet in response to the operation or release of the playing keys of said manual to operate said striker, and;

a second sensing circuit associated with said pedal clavier for energizing said second electro-magnet in response to the operation or release of the keys of said pedal clavier to operate said damper.

5. An electrical musical instrument according to claim 4 and including:

an additional striker and a third electro-magnet, and connections between said second. sensing circuit and said third electro-magnet for energizing said third electro-magnet in response to the operation or release of the keys of said pedal clavier to thereby operate said additional striker.

6. An electrical musical instrument comprising:

a playing manual;

a cymbal;

an electrically operated striker for causing mechanical vibrations of said cymbal;

an electrically operated damper for damping said vibrations;

a first operating means for said striker;

a second operating means for said striker;

first circuit means for energizing said first operating means to operate said striker in response to the operation of a playing key on said manual, and;

second circuit means associated with said playing.

manual for energizing said second operating means to operate said damper in response to the operation of a second key on said manual.

7. An electrical musical instrument comprising:

a cymbal;

an electrically operated striker for causing mechanical vibrations of said cymbal; v

an electrically operated damper for quickly damping said vibrations;

a pulse train generator having at least two output terminals and automatic means for producing upon a first one of said terminals a first series of recurring pulses according to a predetermined rhythm pattern and for producing upon a second one of said terminals a second series of recurring pulses according to a predetermined rhythm pattern;

and means connecting said striker and said damper respectively to said terminals.

8. An electrical musical instrument comprising:

a playing manual;

a cymbal; I

an electrically operated striker for causing mechanical vibrations of said cymbal;

an electrically operated damper for damping said vibrations;

a first operating means for said striker;

a second operating means for said damper;

first circuit means for energizing said first operating means to operate said striker in response to the a depression of a playing key on said manual, and; second circuit means associated with said playing manual for energizing said second operating means to operate said amper in response to the release of said key. 

1. An electrical musical instrument comprising: a playing manual and a pedal clavier; a cymbal; an electrically operated striker for causing mechanical vibration of said cymbal; an electrically operated damper for damping said vibrations; a first electro-magnet associated with said striker and a second electro-magnet associated with said damper; a first sensing circuit associated with said playing manual and second sensing circuit associated with said pedal clavier, said sensing circuits being adapted to produce pulses of electrical energy in response to the operation and/or release of the keys of said manual and clavier; and means connecting said pulses to said striker and damper electro-magnets for operating said striker and damper, respectively.
 2. An electrical musical instrument according to claim 1, and including an automatic pulse train generator having at least one output terminal upon which is automatically produced a series of pulses of electrical energy according to a predetermined rhythm pattern, and; means connecting said first electro-magnet to said output terminal, whereby said series of pulses operates said striker.
 3. An electrical musical instrument according to claim 1, and including an automatic pulse train generator having a first output terminal and a second output terminal upon each of which is automatically produced a series of pulses of electrical energy according to a predetermined rhythm pattern, and; means connecting said first terminal to said first electro-magnet and said second terminal to said second electro-magnet, whereby said pulses operate said striker and said damper, respectively.
 4. An electrical musical instrument comprising: a playing manual and a pedal clavier; a cymbal; an electrically operated striker for causing mechanical vibration of said cymbal; an electrically operated damper for damping the vibrations of said cymbal; a first electro-magnet for operating said striker; a second electro-magnet for operating said damper; a first sensing circuit associated with said playing manual for energizing said first electro-magnet in response to the operation or release of the playing keys of said manual to operate said striker, and; a second sensing circuit associated with said pedal clavier for energizing said second electro-magnet in response to the operation or release of the keys of said pedal clavier to operate said damper.
 5. An electrical musical instrument according to claim 4 and including: an additional striker and a third electro-magnet, and connections between said second sensing circuit and said third electro-magnet for energizing said third electro-magnet in response to the operation or release of the keys of said pedal clavier to thereby operate said additional striker.
 6. An electrical musical instrument comprising: a playing manual; a cymbal; an electrically operated striker for causing mechanical vibrations of said cymbal; an electrically operated damper for damping said vibrations; a first operating means for said striker; a second operating means for said striker; first ciRcuit means for energizing said first operating means to operate said striker in response to the operation of a playing key on said manual, and; second circuit means associated with said playing manual for energizing said second operating means to operate said damper in response to the operation of a second key on said manual.
 7. An electrical musical instrument comprising: a cymbal; an electrically operated striker for causing mechanical vibrations of said cymbal; an electrically operated damper for quickly damping said vibrations; a pulse train generator having at least two output terminals and automatic means for producing upon a first one of said terminals a first series of recurring pulses according to a predetermined rhythm pattern and for producing upon a second one of said terminals a second series of recurring pulses according to a predetermined rhythm pattern; and means connecting said striker and said damper respectively to said terminals.
 8. An electrical musical instrument comprising: a playing manual; a cymbal; an electrically operated striker for causing mechanical vibrations of said cymbal; an electrically operated damper for damping said vibrations; a first operating means for said striker; a second operating means for said damper; first circuit means for energizing said first operating means to operate said striker in response to the depression of a playing key on said manual, and; second circuit means associated with said playing manual for energizing said second operating means to operate said damper in response to the release of said key. 